OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the overall survival duration of patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer treated with vinorelbine and cisplatin with or without tirapazamine. II. Compare the complete and partial response rates, time to disease progression, and time to treatment failure in these patients treated with these regimens. III. Compare the clinical benefit of these regimens, in terms of performance status and body weight, in these patients. IV. Compare the toxicity and safety of these regimens in these patients. V. Compare the quality of life of patients treated with these regimens.